I had a unique opportunity to share my story with the world when I was asked to be a guest on Oprah Winfrey's Life class with Iyanla Vanzant. The segment focused on "Overcoming Guilt", and I was chosen to share my two-year struggle with alcohol, my resulting crumbling marriage, and ultimately, my crippling guilt after a drunk driving accident that left my 5 year old daughter in critical condition.

The segment aired on July 29, 2012 and can be viewed on line at Oprah.com

Instead of focusing on shame and guilt, I chose to focus my energy on writing a book, From This Day Forward, A Love Story of Faith, Hope and Forgiveness with my husband, Matt. Together we share how we have weathered the storm of addiction and rebuilt our family and marriage one day at a time.

I am a contributing freelance writer to In Recovery Magazine and post my personal thoughts here with you all.

I make my recovery, family and spirituality a priority and encourage others to do the same. I share my journey in hope that it will inspire others to make the change that is necessary to living the life they always wanted to live.

AND.....because of this shift I have experienced, I have decided to write Hope Dealer.

Hope
Dealer is more than a collection of stories; it is a compilation of truths,
self-will and optimism. Hope
Dealerdelivers the notion of
possibilities at its purest form richly told by recovering addicts for the
reader to experience and consider. The stories of Hope Dealer
empower every addict to take the first step out of the shadows of addiction.